The Great Santini

Not As Good As Conroy's Other Books

I am a Conroy fan and the Lords of Discipline is among my all-time favorite novels. However, the Great Santini is not on the same level as Lords of Discipline, the Prince of Tides, or Conroy's other works, although it has many of the same themes that you typically find in Conroy's works. Although I did not expect the book to answer every single question a reader may have about the characters, I thought the book left too many loose ends. For example, despite all of the time Conroy spent addressing the issue of how each of the children's lives might be affected by being raised by the Great Santini, the reader never gets an answer to that question and is left to guess (for the most part). In addition, some story lines, while interesting seemed to be thrown in and added little to the main thrust of the book (e.g., what happens to Toomer, the rape of the teenage girl). All in all, I enjoyed the book, but it just wasn't as good as Conroy's other books.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly recommend

Can't say enough about this great story. An American Marine fighter pilot at home with the family while stationed on a Southern AFB. Reminds me of "Sgt. Carter" of Gomer Pyle USMC, in the way this Marine is a Marine thru and thru, and his family is going to be, too! G_d D_m_it !

Really enjoyed this!

Pat Conroy makes everything so belivable and puts it in a way that you dion't want to stop reading.

Kritters Ramblings

A book picked out for my book club - I would have never placed this one on my read list. And even after a rousing discussion with the ladies, I am still not sure how I exactly stand with this one.

Upon beginning the book, I completely despised Bull Meecham - his presence, his attitude and basically just him. I kept telling the boy that I would NEVER live with this man, let alone have four children with him. As the book went on, my feelings for him kept moving to the dark side along with the book. Somewhere just before the end, I decided that I didn't hate the book due to the plot being acceptable - BUT I still hated him.

Then came book club. One of the ladies stands by Pat Conroy and loves everyone of his books. Intrigued, she advised us that this book was autobiographical and the overbearing father that made my feelings boil was in fact based on his own father. Crazy. It is said that because of this book, his family has disbanded and a lot of controversary was made of it.

A book that I would put into the male audience's hands much quicker than the females. A story with a family at the center, women would be intrigued, but beware the man at the center of this family is not one you will fall in love with.

It will make you cry

I really liked this book mostly because of Pt Conroy's writing. The characters you begin to love and at the same time realize how dysfunctional the entire family is. I am reading the rest of Pat CONROY'S BOOKS. I am glad that I read this.

Great Model Of Family History

Fiction is a lens on life; Conroy's family history shows life in the United States in the early 1960s, warts and all.

One of my favorite books

My father gave me my 1st Pat Conroy book ' The Great Santini' when I was 12. I dove right in and savored it. I will always remember our talks about Mr. Conroy's books. The Great Santini will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first. It is a story about a complex military family who's children are required to grow up too fast. My heart went out to every member of the family who hurt in their own way. This is not a book to miss!

This was a movie that all people should watch!

This is a movie that everybody should watch because they will understand what our soilders need to go through and how our soilders risk their lives for us and sacrife aslo! I really enjoy it on tv !

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Great Santini review

The Great Santini, written by Pat Conroy, encompasses the family of a Marine. This Marine, Bull Meecham, is the father of the Meecham family. Bull acts and speaks very shrewdly in the novel by making his children call him ¿sir¿ and speaking to his family as if they were his ¿marine buddies¿. The core conflict that exists is between Bull and his son, Ben Meecham. Bull would push his son over the edge, and Ben¿s accomplishments meant nothing to his father. To Bull, nothing that Ben had done fulfilled him. Ben became extremely discouraged and strained, that he could not take the hounding any longer. Ben became restless with the ¿yes, sir¿ and ¿no, sir¿ that was repeated daily. Ben¿s only encouragement in his situation was his mother, Lillian Meecham. Lillian was Ben¿s reassurance and aid throughout his unsteady relationship with Bull. She was the one who prevented the family from falling apart and became immune to her husband¿s disgraceful attitude. Lillian adored her family and would accomplish anything for them. From blocking out Bull¿s relentless deeds because she loved him, to comforting her son and reminding him that his accomplishments are recognized and that everyone is proud of him. Lillian provided Ben with hope and faith that one day, he will encounter an affectionate relationship with his father. Any person who reads The Great Santini, might possibly find themselves connecting to the book and altogether understanding the adversity that families endure. This novel confirms that not every family is ideal and in spite of everything, worship your family no matter how many times you differ with their opinions.

Amazing book!

Mr. Conroy you have written an incredible novel. I just finished reading the book and then subsuequentially watched the movie. As, a young father I was tremendously moved by Bull Meechum as a marine and as a father. Although he had his faults which Conroy clearly shows I felt myself really enjoying the strength of his character.Conroy does a great job describing his extreme loyatly to the core and his loyalty to his family. I found myself feeling the same trials and tribultions that each of the characters in the novel went through. I can't wait to read his other novels.

just a reminder:

I feel that this book should be read by all teens and young adults to show them that while they think they have it hard, someone else always has it harder.

Bull Mitchum was a man on a mission

I loved this account of the Mitchum Family. I found that it makes you think how the military has an impact on how a man acts toword his family

It's Grrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaatttttttt!

It is a wonderful read! The beginning is a tad bit on the boring side but keep reading, it becomes one of the best books ever written!

the greatest santini

I just loved it. What a marvelous read. An outstanding book with a plot and storyline that is just off the grid. If you want to read a good book read his one, if you know what I mean.I deliver pizzas, that is why the book is so gooood.Yeah!!

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